Los Angeles, California, May 27, 2025 – The internet has erupted in a frenzy following Joe Rogan’s fiery reaction to a newly leaked audio clip capturing Rachel Zegler’s alleged on-set meltdown during rehearsals for the West End revival of Evita. The 24-year-old actress, already under scrutiny for her Snow White controversies and Evita legal battles, now faces a fresh wave of criticism after the audio, which surfaced on May 25, 2025, revealed her in a heated outburst. Rogan, the outspoken host of The Joe Rogan Experience, didn’t hold back in his latest podcast episode, slamming Zegler for what he called a “Hollywood meltdown” and reigniting a debate about entitlement, resilience, and the pressures faced by young stars in the entertainment industry. As the internet explodes with reactions, this latest controversy raises critical questions about Zegler’s ability to weather the storm and the role of public figures like Rogan in shaping narratives around celebrity behavior.

The Leaked Audio: A Shocking Revelation

Rachel Zegler’s tumultuous year took another dramatic turn on May 25, 2025, when a leaked audio recording surfaced online, allegedly capturing her in a fiery backstage meltdown during Evita rehearsals at the London Palladium. The West End revival, set to premiere on June 14, 2025, stars Zegler as Eva Perón, a role that was expected to showcase her vocal and acting talents following her Broadway debut in Romeo + Juliet (2024). However, the production has been plagued by drama, including leaked footage earlier this month showing Zegler being escorted out of rehearsals and throwing a prop, prompting a lawsuit from the producers claiming she breached her contract.

The newly leaked audio, first shared on YouTube, reportedly captures Zegler yelling at the Evita staff, her voice filled with frustration as she demands better treatment and rails against what she perceives as unfair pressure. “I’m giving everything, and you’re treating me like I’m disposable!” she allegedly shouts, followed by expletives and a slamming door. The clip, described as a “backstage tantrum,” has fueled speculation that Zegler’s behavior is unprofessional, adding to the narrative of her being a “problematic” star. This audio leak follows earlier controversies, including a leaked recording from April 2025 where Zegler was heard yelling at Snow White staff, and another from the same month exposing her mocking Disney fans in a group chat, both of which further damaged her public image.

Joe Rogan’s Reaction: A Brutal Takedown

Joe Rogan, known for his unfiltered commentary on The Joe Rogan Experience, reacted to the leaked audio in a podcast episode aired on May 26, 2025, just one day after the clip surfaced. Rogan, who has previously criticized Zegler for her Snow White comments and her response to being “fired” by Disney (a claim that remains unverified), didn’t hold back in his latest takedown. “This is a full-on Hollywood meltdown,” Rogan said, describing Zegler’s outburst as a display of entitlement. “She’s screaming at people who are just trying to do their jobs. You don’t get to act like that because you’re stressed—everyone’s stressed! Grow up.”

Rogan’s comments echo his earlier critiques of Zegler, particularly following her Snow White controversies. In April 2025, he and Bill Maher roasted Zegler for what they called her “woke” take on the 1937 film, where she labeled the prince’s behavior “weird” and akin to stalking, a statement that drew conservative backlash. Rogan also criticized her for blaming Disney for the Snow White flop, which grossed just $143.1 million globally against a $270 million budget, leading to a reported $115 million loss for the studio. “She’s acting like Disney owes her the world,” Rogan said in a May 2025 episode. “You’re not entitled to a role just because you want it—that’s not how this business works.”

In his latest podcast, Rogan doubled down, calling Zegler a “monster” for her refusal to take accountability. “She keeps erupting—first at Disney, now at the Evita team—and every time, it’s someone else’s fault,” he said, referencing her earlier outbursts and her recent countersuit against the Evita producers, where she claimed they set her up by leaking manipulated footage. Rogan argued that Zegler’s behavior reflects a broader issue among young actors who expect the industry to cater to their every demand, a sentiment he has expressed before about Hollywood’s “entitlement culture.”

The Internet Explodes: A Divided Reaction

Rogan’s reaction to the leaked audio sparked an immediate explosion on the internet, with fans and critics taking to platforms like YouTube and X to voice their opinions. The clip of Rogan’s podcast, shared widely on social media, has amassed millions of views, with sentiment sharply divided. Some users praised Rogan for calling out what they see as Zegler’s unprofessionalism. “Joe Rogan is spot on—Rachel Zegler needs to stop acting like a diva,” one user wrote on X, reflecting the views of those who believe her behavior in the leaked audio justifies the criticism. Others shared memes of Zegler’s outburst, amplifying Rogan’s “monster” comment with hashtags like #RachelZeglerMeltdown.

Conversely, Zegler’s supporters rallied to her defense, arguing that Rogan’s comments are unfairly harsh and ignore the broader context of her struggles. “Rachel Zegler is 24, under insane pressure, and being targeted by an industry that hates outspoken women of color,” another user wrote on X, echoing a sentiment that has been a recurring theme in Zegler’s career. Her fans point to her Evita countersuit, filed on May 21, 2025, which alleges the producers manipulated the leaked footage to misrepresent her actions, setting her up to fail as a scapegoat for the production’s slow ticket sales, reported in April 2025. They also highlight her history of facing racist and misogynistic backlash, such as the attacks over her Snow White casting and her pro-Palestinian stance, which garnered 8.8 million views in August 2024.

A Critical Examination: Context and Accountability

The narrative around Zegler’s leaked audio meltdown is complex, with both Rogan’s criticism and Zegler’s defense warranting scrutiny. Rogan’s reaction, while harsh, reflects a broader cultural frustration with perceived entitlement in Hollywood, a theme he has explored before. His comments about Zegler’s outburst align with his earlier critiques of her Snow White behavior, where he argued that young actors need to “roll with” setbacks rather than publicly lash out. However, Rogan’s framing of Zegler as a “monster” oversimplifies the situation, ignoring the systemic pressures she faces as a young Latina actress in an industry that often demands conformity while punishing outspokenness.

Zegler’s meltdown, as captured in the audio, appears unprofessional on the surface—yelling at staff and slamming doors is not a good look for any actor, especially one under scrutiny. Yet, the context provided by her Evita countersuit suggests there may be more to the story. Zegler’s legal team claims the production team created a hostile work environment, with unreasonable demands and inadequate support, which could have contributed to her outburst. The earlier leaked footage, which she alleges was manipulated, supports her claim of a setup, as does the timing of the leaks—coinciding with rumors of her replacement by Camila Delgado, though no evidence confirms this. Film critic Kelechi Ehenulo, in a March 2025 BBC article, described Zegler as a “victim of culture wars,” noting that actors from underrepresented backgrounds often face disproportionate backlash, a pattern that applies here.

The audio leak itself raises ethical concerns about privacy in the entertainment industry. Rehearsals are typically private spaces where artists can experiment and express frustration without fear of public judgment. The unauthorized release of this audio, following the earlier footage leaks, suggests a concerted effort to damage Zegler’s reputation, a tactic that aligns with her countersuit’s allegations. Rogan’s reaction, while resonating with those frustrated by celebrity behavior, fails to address these systemic issues, instead amplifying the narrative that Zegler is the problem rather than a product of a challenging environment.

The Broader Implications: Zegler’s Career and Public Discourse

For Zegler, the leaked audio and Rogan’s reaction represent another blow to a career already under strain. Her Snow White flop, where Disney insiders partly blamed her social media presence, and the Evita drama have painted her as a polarizing figure, with some studios reportedly distancing themselves. Yet, Zegler has shown resilience, securing roles like the indie dramedy She Gets It From Me with Marisa Tomei, set for 2026, and continuing her Evita run, set to premiere on June 14. Her ability to draw the youngest ticket-buying audience in Broadway history for Romeo + Juliet suggests she retains a loyal fanbase that values her talent and authenticity.

The internet’s explosion over Rogan’s comments also highlights the evolving role of public discourse in the digital age. Rogan, with his massive platform, has the power to shape narratives, and his critique of Zegler has amplified the negative perception of her behavior. However, this dynamic often disadvantages young stars like Zegler, who face harsher scrutiny for their missteps—particularly women of color—compared to their peers. The Evita audio leak, combined with Rogan’s reaction, risks cementing a narrative that could haunt Zegler’s career, overshadowing her undeniable talent.

This incident also underscores the need for greater accountability in how the entertainment industry handles young talent. Zegler’s countersuit against the Evita producers, if proven true, would expose a troubling pattern of exploitation, where leaks are used to shift blame for production failures onto vulnerable stars. The slow ticket sales for Evita, reported in April 2025, may reflect broader issues—such as marketing failures or audience fatigue with Zegler’s public image—but scapegoating her ignores these systemic factors.

A Moment of Reckoning

As Zegler prepares to take the stage as Eva Perón, the internet’s explosion over the leaked audio and Rogan’s reaction marks a critical moment in her career. Her legal battles—against the Evita producers and now potentially Family Guy, which recently mocked her in an episode—are a testament to her determination to protect her reputation. If she can deliver a powerful performance in Evita, she may reclaim her narrative, proving her detractors wrong. However, the damage from this latest controversy, amplified by Rogan’s platform, may linger, challenging her ability to move forward in an industry already wary of her outspokenness.

Ultimately, the leaked Rachel Zegler audio meltdown and Joe Rogan’s reaction are a moment of reckoning—for Zegler, for the entertainment industry, and for public discourse. As the internet continues to explode with opinions, Zegler’s resilience will be tested, but her fight for fairness in the face of systemic pressures may yet redefine her legacy as a star who refuses to be silenced.